So this is Christmas,
And what have you done?
Another year over,
And a new one just begun.
–John Lennon, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”

I know this is gonna sound like a refrain as tired as the “Hallelujah Chorus,” but I really had no intention of posting any more Beatles-related material on this blog.

And I wouldn’t have, except that our friend Bluejay Young recently alerted me to the White Feather Foundation, a nonprofit charity founded by Julian Lennon in 2009.*    It’s mission, as stated on its homepage, is to “...embrace environmental and humanitarian issues and in conjunction with partners from around the world... raise funds for the betterment of all life.”  Among these partners are Hart House, which provides respite care for disabled Gambian children; St. Thomas’ Lupus Trust, which raises awareness of Lupus, provides copious information about the disease on its website, and sponsors research carried out at St. Thomas’ & Guys Hospital; ForestNation, a “social business” that plants trees in developing nations for every tree-kit purchased by Western consumers; and other noble causes.

Some of the projects currently undertaken by WFF include relief to Nepalese earthquake victims; the provision of clean water in Malawi, Rwanda and Ethiopia; and Amazonian conservation.   Arguably its most poignant mission is the Cynthia Lennon Scholarship for Girls, named in honor of Julian’s mother, who passed away earlier this year. 

On its “About Us” page, Lennon explained the genesis of the foundation:

Dad once said to me, that should he pass away, if there was some way of letting me know he was going to be ok – that we were all going to be ok – the message would come to me in the form of a White Feather. Then something happened to me, whilst on tour with the album, Photograph Smile, in Australia. I was presented with a White Feather by an Aboriginal tribal elder, from The Mirning people, which definitely took my breath away.

The White Feather Foundation was created for the purpose of giving a voice and support to those who cannot be heard. The tribal elders asked for my help, as I could bring awareness to their plight and to others who were suffering the same. Having had the White Feather bestowed upon me, I knew this endeavour was to be part of my destiny. One thing for sure is that the White Feather has always represented peace to me, as well as communication.

In the previous Beatles series, I came to the opinion that the individual members, their business partners and families embarked upon a continuing endeavor to foster a more positive culture.  What struck me about the White Feather Foundation was how neatly it fit into that vibe.  I was also struck by the seemingly magical story behind its creation.  As you probably know by now, I’m not really big on matters spiritual as much as I am the psychological processes that lead us to such. But I will concede a certain magical quality to the Yuletide.  Consequently, the ambition and beneficence of WFF, coming when it did, struck a (ahem!) chord with me.

I’m hoping it strikes a chord with you too.  At this time of year, we’re in the habit of tossing a few coins in the kettle of our local Salvation Army chapter, or donating to other worthy causes.  Perhaps you can add WFF to your shortlist of honorable organizations worth giving to.  I’ve dropped in a few coins myself (only a slight understatement), and plan to do more once the freelance checks start coming in.  (Actually, it’s a direct deposit, but you get the drift, right?)

Feel free to match my tuppence with your own donation.  To screw up an old folk tune, one man’s hands might not be able to take a prison down.  But when one and one and fifty make a million, we might see how far these feathers can fly.

 And happy Xmas to you all.
________________________
*Official statement: “The White Feather Foundation is established under the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), a charitable trust registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under number: 268369. “